Govt to bear cost of Sufi singer’s treatment

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday directed the authorities of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, to provide free treatment to noted Punjabi Sufi singer Barkat Sidhu (68), who is critically ill due to cancer and is undergoing treatment at DMCH.

Stating this, a spokesperson for the chief minister’s office said Badal, taking note of news reports, called up the doctor attending on Sidhu on Tuesday morning. He assured of all possible help to the Sufi singer in this hour of crisis, adding that the state government would bear the entire cost of his treatment.

Dr Sandeep Chhabra of DMCH said, “Sidhu was admitted on June 22. Since then, he is under special care in the emergency ward. He has been diagnosed with colon cancer.”

Meanwhile, the singer’s fans, including writers and members of literary associations, are using the social media to seek monetary help for Sidhu.